Polymac Packaging League Cup
Racing Club Warwick 2
(Josh Blake, Rossi Briscoe)
Boldmere St Michaels 1
(Joe Lyng)
Attendance: 116
Townsend Meadow
Due to work commitments at the weekend a whole week has passed since my last game at Coventry Copsewood. A first trip to Racing Club Warwick was certainly a great way to end a packed month of football to get 2018 up and running.
Like with most of the games I am doing since moving to the Midlands, I am seeing teams for the first time, new stadiums and new cups and leagues to watch and tonight was no different. I have seen neither Warwick nor Boldmere St Michaels before and despite the cold and wet I was happy to be taking in the action.
When asking for advice about where to visit Racing Club Warwick had come up a few times in the replies and I certainly wasn’t let down.
I actually don’t have a clue what round of the cup this was so if anyone is reading and can let me know that would be amazing!
The Ground
Townsend Meadow is situated right next to Warwick Racecourse, which is where the team get their name. I actually missed the turning as the car park for the ground doubles up as a public pay and display. Some clear signage points you in the right direction to the turnstiles that are tucked away up one corner of the stadium.
On entry to the ground it was great to be exploring somewhere new. Directly behind the goal when you enter is a brick building that runs the width of the pitch. Between the building and the pitch is a big open area for spectators to mingle. Inside is a massive bar area. I am struggling to think if I have seen a bigger clubhouse on my travels.
You’d think for the size of the building that the changing rooms would be in there, however the players and officials are housed up the corner of the ground in some cabins.
The ground has two seated stands, on one side a more modern looking stand sits on the halfway line behind the dugouts and probably sits around 80 at a guess. Opposite there is a long, low, seated stand that has a mix of traditional wooden seats and some newer plastic seats. Attached at the end of the stand there is some covered terracing leaving plenty of options as to where to view the game.
The club logo decorates the back of the old stand as well as on the wall as you enter which is just a small design extra but I like the fact that once inside the stadium there is clear distinctions as to where you are and who is the home side.
I sat in the newer stand for the majority of the game raised high enough to offer a good view and keep me dry on this wet January evening.
I know I say this about most grounds but friendly people and definitely worth a visit. I have thoroughly enjoyed most of the grounds I have been to in the four months I have been living in Coventry and I cannot wait to see what February brings.
The Game
There was some late drama at Townsend Meadow as Racing Club Warwick came from behind with two late goals to beat ten man Boldmere St Michaels and progress to the next round of the league cup.
Boldmere took the lead in the first half through Joe Lyng. Warwick missed a second half penalty that saw Boldmere reduced to ten men before Josh Blake found the equaliser with one minute remaining. Rossi Briscoe then popped up with an injury-time winner to send his side ‘Racing’ into the next round.
The first chance of the game came on three minutes when Ryan Nesbitt whipped in a dangerous ball into the box and Ben Usher-Shipway glanced his header just wide with Tom Cross left stating in the Warwick goal.
It was a bright start for The Mikes as Nesbitt displayed a neat ‘Johan Cruyff-esc’ turn inside the area before smashing a shot into the side netting.
The opening goal came on 15 minutes when a corner was swung into the Warwick box and Lyng was stood centre of the box to plant a firm header into the back of the net.
The game died down slightly and neither side were able to create much leading into the half time interval. Warwick did end the half with a couple of half chances. One shot was blocked out for a corner and another effort was slammed wide inside a crowded area.
It was a bright start for Racing in the second half when Trea Bertie stole the ball from Lyng but as he approached goal, he scuffed his effort and the shot went wide.
The hosts were on top and Martin Hutchcox was unable to keep his header on target from Martin Slevin’s free kick.
Boldmere were holding on to their slender lead as Warwick went close again when Jack Taylor had done well to get forward and overlap Richard Powell and fire a shot across goal that just needed a touch to take it over the line but it wasn’t to be.
Warwick was awarded a penalty when they attacked in numbers and Blake was barged over by Lyng as he was about to shoot. The referee pointed straight to the spot and awarded a straight red card for the foul. Home captain Slevin stepped up and struck the shot well, only for it to bounce off both posts and out.
It was a lucky let off for Boldmere who were doing very little to show that they play in the league above Warwick.
The hosts must have been cursing their luck when they missed another great chance. Some great build up play led to Slevin firing a weak header at goal and Blake couldn’t bundle the ball into the box and as the ball was bouncing around the crowded area no one could find the deadly touch for the equaliser.
Boldmere had soaked up much of the pressure and attacked on the break in what looked like the move to win the game. Nesbitt had done well to pick out Aaron Ashford who surely had to put the ball in the net however Cross did superbly to get across his line and make the save of the season.
Seconds after the save the ball was fired up the other end and Reiss Wagstaff came off his line to block the first shot by Slevin but Blake was in the right place to roll the ball in for the equaliser.
And in true smash-and-grab style substitute Rossi Briscoe picked the ball up on the right side of the pitch and slammed the ball into the corner of the net to send the hosts into joyful celebrations as they progress to the next round of the league cup.
2017/18 Games: 53
2017/18 Grounds: 47 (12)
Total Grounds Visited: 195 (50)
The Terrace Traveller 